Rhododendron plant named ‘HORT14’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Rhododendron  plant named ‘HORT14’ that is characterized by pink flower buds with yellow-green tips that open slowly, double flowers with pink petals having yellow-green tips, late flowering and a long flowering period.

Botanical classification: Rhododendron simsii.

Variety denomination:

‘HORT14’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofRhododendron plant botanically known as Rhododendron simsii andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘HORT14’.

The new cultivar is the product of a breeding program conducted by theinventor in a cultivated area of Kruishoutem, Belgium. The objective ofthe breeding program is to develop new Rhododendron cultivars that havelong lasting flowers and slowly opening flower buds.

‘HORT14’ originated from the crossing of the female or seed parentRhododendron simsii ‘Christine Matton’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,693) andthe male or pollen parent a proprietary selection of Rhododendron simsiiidentified as ‘99367’ (not patented). The crossing was conducted in2002. The cultivar ‘HORT14’ was selected by the inventor in 2004 as asingle plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a greenhouseenvironment in a cultivated area of Kruishoutem, Belgium.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘HORT14’ by cuttings was firstperformed in 2004 in Kruishoutem, Belgium. Since that time, undercareful observation, the unique characteristics of the new cultivar havebeen uniform, stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the newRhododendron cultivar ‘HORT14’. These traits in combination distinguish‘HORT14’ as a new and distinct cultivar.

-   -   1. Rhododendron ‘HORT14’ exhibits pink flower buds with        yellow-green tips that open slowly.    -   2. Rhododendron ‘HORT14’ exhibits double flowers with pink        petals having yellow-green tips.    -   3. Rhododendron ‘HORT14’ exhibits late flowering.    -   4. Rhododendron ‘HORT14’ exhibits a long flowering period.

The closest comparison varieties are Rhododendron ‘HORT10’ (notpatented) and Rhododendron ‘HORT13’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser.No. 14/999,052).

‘HORT14’ is different than ‘HORT10’ in having flowers that have pinkpetals with yellow-green tips. In contrast, the flowers of ‘HORT10’ arewhite.

‘HORT14’ is different than ‘HORT13’ in having pink petals withyellow-green tips. In contrast, the flowers of ‘HORT13’ are lighter pinkin color.

In comparison to the female parent plant ‘Christine Matton’, ‘HORT14’ isdifferent in having lighter pink flowers, weaker lateral branches andduller leaves. In contrast, the flowers of ‘Christine Matton’ are salmonpink in color.

In comparison to the male parent plant ‘99367’, ‘HORT14’ is different inhaving light pink flowers. In contrast, the flowers of ‘99367’ are redin color and have hose in hose sepals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the distinguishing traits ofRhododendron ‘HORT14’. The plant in the photograph shows an overall viewof a 24 month old plant. The photograph was taken using conventionaltechniques and although colors may appear different from actual colorsdue to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventionalphotographic techniques.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Rhododendron cultivarnamed ‘HORT14’. Data was collected in Kruishoutem, Belgium from 24 monthold greenhouse grown plants in 1.0 liter containers. The time of yearwas Spring and the average temperature was 22° Centigrade during the dayand 18° Centigrade at night. The light level was 5000 Klux and therewere no photoperiodic treatments. Color determinations are in accordancewith The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2001 edition, exceptwhere general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.The growing requirements are similar to the species. ‘HORT14’ has notbeen tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences maybe observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and culturalconditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

-   Botanical classification: Rhododendron simsii ‘HORT14’.-   Use: Ornamental perennial shrub.-   Parentage: ‘HORT14’ is a cross of the female or seed parent    Rhododendron ‘Christine Matton’ and the male or pollen parent    Rhododendron ‘99367’.-   Vigor: Moderately strong.-   Growth rate: Approximately 8 cm. in height and 15 cm. in width per    year.-   Growth habit: Flat, outwardly spreading growth habit.-   Plant shape: Flattened globose.-   Suitable container size: 1.0 liter container.-   Height: Average 20 cm. in height.-   Width: Average 40 cm. in width.-   Hardiness: USDA Zone 9.-   Propagation: Cuttings.-   Time to initiate roots: Approximately 30 days to produce roots on an    initial cutting.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting or liner: Approximately 60 days.-   Root system: Fine and fibrous.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching habit.—Freely branching.        -   Average number of lateral branches.—3.        -   Pinching.—Yes.        -   Lateral branch diameter.—2 mm. in diameter.        -   Lateral branch length.—5.5 cm. in length.        -   Lateral branch strength.—Strong to moderate.        -   Stem color.—145A, older stems 200D.        -   Pubescence.—Sparse, length 1 mm., color 175B to 175C.        -   Internode length.—12 mm. between nodes.        -   Shape.—Round.        -   Surface.—Dull.        -   Strength.—Strong to moderate.-   Foliage:    -   -   Texture (both surfaces).—Glossy, slightly leathery.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate, clustered towards the top of            the stems.        -   Compound or single.—Single.        -   Quantity of leaves per lateral branch.—12.        -   Leaf shape.—Elliptical to obovate.        -   Leaf apex.—Obtuse.        -   Leaf base.—Acuminate to acute.        -   Leaf length.—4.4 cm. in length.        -   Leaf width.—1.8 cm. in width.        -   Pubescence (both surfaces).—Slight.        -   Pubescence color.—175B to 175C.        -   Leaf margin.—Entire.        -   Vein pattern.—Arcuate.        -   Young leaf color (upper surface).—144A.        -   Young leaf color (lower surface).—147C.        -   Mature leaf color (upper surface).—139A.        -   Mature leaf color (lower surface).—147B.        -   Vein color (lower surface).—145B.        -   Vein color (upper surface).—145A.        -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Petiole dimensions.—8 mm. in length, slightly flattened            1.5 mm. in width, 1 mm. in height.        -   Petiole color.—145A.        -   Durability of foliage to stress.—Moderate.-   Flower:    -   -   Flower arrangement.—Terminal clusters.        -   Inflorescence type.—Umbel.        -   Inflorescence dimensions.—Approx. 8 cm. in diameter and            4 cm. in height.        -   Flowering habit.—Continuously, once a year.        -   Flower form.—Double.        -   Quantity of flowers per lateral stem.—Approximately 3 to 8.        -   Quantity of flower buds per lateral stem.—Approximately 1 to            5.        -   Quantity of flowers and buds per plant.—Approximately 90,            Approx. 3 flowers/bud.        -   Flowering season.—February to May.        -   Time to flower or response time.—Flowering 8 months after            final pinching.        -   Rate of flower opening.—After the first flower of a cluster            has opened, all flowers of that cluster will open in            approximately 14 days.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Self-cleaning or persistent.—Persistent.        -   Flower bud length.—10 mm. in length.        -   Flower bud diameter.—6 mm. in diameter.        -   Flower bud shape.—Ovate.        -   Bud color.—144A.        -   Rate of bud opening.—95%.        -   Flower aspect.—Upright to outward.        -   Flower shape.—Narrow funnel-campanulate.        -   Flower dimensions.—7 cm. in diameter and 4.5 cm. in height.        -   Flower longevity.—Lasts approximately 35 days on plant.        -   Petal appearance (both surfaces).—Dull, slightly velvety.        -   Petal texture (both surfaces).—Glabrous.        -   Petal arrangement.—Funnelfrom, rosette.        -   Number of petals.—Five in number.        -   Petals fused or unfused.—Lower 25% Fused.        -   Petal shape.—Obovate.        -   Petal margin.—Entire.        -   Petal apex.—Obtuse.        -   Petal dimensions.—Approx. 3.5 cm. in length and 3 cm. in            width.        -   Petal color when opening (upper side)—35C (base), 150 D            (apex).        -   Petal color when opening (under side).—35C (base), 150 D            (apex).        -   Petal color when fully opened (upper side).—38A.        -   Petal color when fully opened (under side).—38A.        -   Petal color fading to.—49A (base), 150D (apex).        -   Petaloid appearance.—Dull.        -   Petaloid arrangement.—Funnelform, rosette.        -   Petaloid number.—Approx. 7.        -   Petaloid shape.—Obovate, oblong.        -   Petaloid margin.—Entire, slightly undulate.        -   Petaloid dimensions.—0.8 cm. to 2.2 cm. in width and 2 cm.            to 3.5 cm. in length.        -   Petaloid color immature.—48A.        -   Petaloid color mature.—49A.-   Calyx:    -   -   Calyx shape.—Rosette.        -   Calyx dimensions.—5 cm. in diameter and 3.5 cm. in height.-   Sepals:    -   -   Sepal appearance (both surfaces).—Dull, pubescent.        -   Sepal arrangement.—Rosette.        -   Number of sepals.—Five in number.        -   Sepals fused or unfused.—Unfused.        -   Sepal shape.—Rounded.        -   Sepal margin.—Entire.        -   Sepal apex.—Obtuse.        -   Sepal base.—Spatulate.        -   Sepal dimensions.—6 mm. in length and 4 mm. in width.        -   Sepal color when opening (upper side).—144C.        -   Sepal color when opening (under side).—144C.        -   Sepal color mature (upper side).—144C.        -   Sepal color mature (under side).—144C.-   Bracts:    -   -   Number of bracts.—Approx. 10.        -   Bract dimensions.—18 mm. in length and 5 to 12 mm. in width.        -   Bract shape.—Rounded to oblong.        -   Bract apex.—Obtuse.        -   Bract pubescence.—Dense on under side, length 1.0 mm.,            color, 167C, upper side glabrous.        -   Bract color (both sides).—144C (base), 143A (apex).-   Pedicels:    -   -   Pedicel dimensions.—6 to 9 mm. in length.        -   Pedicel angle.—75°.        -   Pedicel color.—145B.        -   Pedicel strength.—Moderate to strong.-   Reproduction organs:    -   -   Stamen number.—Mostly mutated to petals, between 0 and 3.        -   Anther shape.—Dorsifixed, oval.        -   Anther dimensions.—1.5 mm.        -   Anther color.—4D.        -   Filament length.—12 mm.        -   Filament color.—49A.        -   Amount of pollen.—Very low.        -   Pistil number.—1 in number.        -   Pistil dimensions.—2.5 cm. to 3.0 cm. in length.        -   Stigma shape.—Round.        -   Stigma color.—154B.        -   Style length.—2.0 to 2.5 cm.        -   Style color.—55C.        -   Ovary color.—143A.-   Fruit and seed: Fruit and seed production has not been observed to    date.-   Disease and pest resistance: Plants of the new Rhododendron have not    been observed for disease or pest resistance to date.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Rhododendronplant named ‘HORT14’ as described and illustrated.